PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy or biological response modifiers Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy with adjuvant tamoxifen allowed No concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Chemotherapy No other concurrent anticancer endocrine therapy (including steroids) Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of disease Concurrent radiotherapy to a limited area (e.g., for painful disease) allowed Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No prior adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy Other: At least 30 days since prior systemic investigational drugs At least 7 days since prior topical investigational drugs No other concurrent investigational drugs Concurrent bisphosphonates (e.g., zoledronic acid) for bone metastasis allowed